Again this year, Mississippi Mills All My Relations in partnership with Ginawaydaganuc Village are marking National Indigenous People’s Day by holding a community event for Indigenous and non Indigenous people to celebrate solstice together. It will take place at Riverfront Estates Park, 300 Spring Street.
Paddle in the Company of Indigenous Elders: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To join this event, meet at Spring Street directly across the river from the Community Dock with your canoes, kayaks or paddleboards between 12:30 pm and 12:50 pm!
Co-led by Indigenous Elder Larry McDermott (Algonquin of The Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation) and renowned Birchbark Canoe builder, Chuck Commanda (Algonquin of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation), this relaxed paddle will begin with a starting ceremony, then proceed on the Mississippi River with several stops where Larry and Chuck will share their perspectives on local Indigenous history. The paddle will form a circle going upstream then returning downstream to the starting point, concluding with a closing ceremony.
Paddlers of all ages and experience are welcome! No registration necessary.
NOTE: Participants must wear properly fitting Personal Floatation Devices or Life Jackets while on the water.
Indigenous Ceremony, Music, Storytelling, and Special Activities: 3 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Experience ceremony and an opportunity to talk with Indigenous Elders
Join our distinguished guests for an opening ceremony and a chance to ask questions and chat: Elder Larry McDermott, Algonquin of Shabot Obaadjiwan; Elder Barbara Brant, Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation of Tyendinaga; John Henry Commanda, Ojibway Anishinabe of the Eagle Clan; and Elder Tony Belcourt, born in the Métis community of Lac St. Anne, Alberta.
Learn Pow Wow dancing
Have some fun learning how to dance at a pow wow with Knowledge Keeper JP Longboat Mohawk, Turtle Clan from Six Nations.
Enjoy Performances
- Storyteller Marie-Louise Perron, descendant of Red River Métis and early French newcomers, will tell a children’s story –she says “almost a ghost story”
- Musician Marcia Chum-Gibbons, Cree heritage from Constance Lake, Native American Award Nominee and her husband Chris
- Talamk Karen:na: Earth Music with award winning Tiger Will Mason and Pauline Ducharme
- Chuck Commanda will share the history of the canoe and how he builds them.
Join Special Activities
- Learn about Indigenous plants
- Try wood carving with Nish Nabie, the Algonquin carver of the Seven Gifts
- Purchase bead work by the Soul Sisters
- Enjoy a Seven Gifts BBQ (by donation) prepared by Larry Woermke, Mohawk, and a strawberry treat
- Don’t miss the four tables with children’s activities.
Solstice in our area actually occurs 4:24 EDT, Sunday the 21st but none of the Elders have suggested we pitch our tents for the night. We anticipate concluding this celebration well before sunset.
